Summer is synonymous with barbecues, swimming, hiking, camping trips, long stargazing nights, and loads of fun—at least in my family. But, for many of us, summer doesn't always mean a break from work.
Running a business is exhausting. Raising a family is exhausting. Spending time with friends, while enjoyable, can also be exhausting. There was a time when I could put in my eight hours, go out for dinner after work, hit the hay well after midnight and still wake up the next morning as fresh as a daisy. But those days are long gone. Now, my goal is to achieve a successful work-life balance that lets me handle everything on my plate without burning out (and still feel satisfied).
As a business owner, a mother of two sons, and a volunteer, I know how tough it is to give my work, church, family, and social life the attention they each deserve. Maintaining whatever balance I do have is a daily challenge. There's always some unexpected surprise ready to disrupt my carefully made plans. But rather than stress about it, I've learned to take a deep breath, focus on what matters, and maintain my peace of mind by following these five steps. As a resume writer I know a thing or two about work-life balance.
1. Make To-Do Lists and Use Time Blocking
If you know we at all you know I love to-do lists. A close second is time-blocking. Before I jump into work and immediately after I sit down at my desk, I have a bulleted list of what needs to be done. Anyone who works 20-40 hours a week knows it's impossible to recall every single meeting, appointment, and assignment off the top of your head. A list gives you a visual representation of everything you need to do and helps you manage your time effectively, so you don’t spend all day on just a few tasks.
Time blocking is an amazing tool that will give you the satisfaction you are looking for from your calendar. When you know that you need to get work done, but you also long for the fun stuff, sitting at your desk and getting it done can be hard. However, knowing that there is a solid 4-hour block marked for the fun stuff later in the week/month/whatever your calendar allows, you will find the peace of mind you are looking for. You may also find the motivation you need to get the work done now.
2. Choose Your Priorities and Stick to Them
We all have a different #1 at the top of your list. You may prioritize work, or family life, or your volunteer gig or maybe your friends. None of those are wrong. Whatever sits at the top of your list should stay there. Make your convictions, know your values, and stick to it. Place hard stiff boundaries around whatever it is in the #1 spot. Use the time blocking to help. Practice saying no when it is needed. The thing is, boundaries are not for you. Boundaries are for everyone else. Once others see that the walls are tall around your time they will stop trying.
3. Block Out Distractions While Working and Stay Focused
With endless text messages, constant meetings, and incessant email pings, it's all too easy to get distracted and stay there. It's important to learn how to focus and set aside time to finish the work you have planned. Calls and emails can wait until the most pressing projects of the day are wrapped up. Even a short distraction can lead to a huge time sink. Before you start work, promise yourself you'll tackle the larger jobs before starting on the smaller ones. Give the Pomodoro technique a chance too. You may just be amazed.
4. Learn How to Better Delegate Work
Sharing responsibilities with family or friends, or your team is extremely freeing. At work, I step back and trust my writers to take care of the clients and tasks on their lists. As a resume writer, with half the city searching, resume writer near me, you know my phone rings a lot. However, if I try and tackle it all myself, I will fail.
Being open, honest, and communicative is a major part of sharing responsibility. Know what you can do in a day, and trust others around you to help out when needed. Learning how to delegate work is a big part of time management, and by not trying to do everything yourself, you'll free up a lot of your time and reduce stress when the inevitable surprise pops up.
5. Give Yourself Time to Relax When You Need It
We all need time to be alone, relax, and unwind. Taking time off occasionally is nothing to be ashamed of and is essential for keeping yourself mentally and emotionally healthy. Even something as simple as reading a book or going out for coffee with a friend can do wonders for your well-being. Just remember to silence your phone and other distractions and truly enjoy your "me time."
By incorporating these steps into your routine, you can work towards a healthier work-life balance. Remember, it's a process that requires daily effort, but it's worth it for your well-being and success.
Reach Out to Our Team
If you found us by searching a resume writer near me, you are in good hands. Whether you need help with career advancement, or simply figuring out the hard stuff, we can help. Our teams offers so much more than just resume writing. Contact us today.
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